Automatic remote-control candle snuffer

ABSTRACT

A fan-based candle snuffer for blowing out an open flame. This candle snuffer is comprised of: a transmitter equipped with an input device, which generates a signal when the input device is activated by a user; a receiver that toggles power to an output port upon receiving the signal from the transmitter; and a fan connected to the receiver output port, whereby the fan can be remotely turned on or off by a user, thereby enabling the user to remotely blow out the open flame. The device may also be equipped with a countdown timer connected to the power port to control the fan.

This invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/846,536 with the title, “Remote-Control Candle Snuffer” filed on Sep. 22, 2006 and which is hereby incorporated by reference. Applicant claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. Par 119(e)(i). The present invention relates to fans and more particularly to candle blowers.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Background

People burn candles in their homes for a variety of reasons: For illumination, aromatherapy, to create a romantic mood or a relaxing environment or pleasant fragrances. Regardless of the reasons, candles left burning unattended or unsupervised are a fire hazard and could even lead to an explosion. If a person wants to immediately extinguish a candle that is beyond his or her proximate reach (for instance, across a room), that person must physically get within reach of the candle to put it out. Bed-ridden and handicapped individuals may find it difficult to move to a candle's location to extinguish it. Current state of the art automatic candle-snuffers do not offer an on-demand capability: A timer must be set to activate such devices.

This invention provides the ability to extinguish a lit candle on demand from a distance. It is adjustable for use on candles of various sizes and types. It also incorporates a battery-operated electronic countdown timer to extinguish a lit candle at a set time as a safety feature.

Relevant prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,365 filed by Byxbe, U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,505 by Kroecher and U.S. Pat. D305,264 filed by Bengtsson, et al. None of this prior art includes all the features provided by this invention. These features comprise but are not limited to the ability to:

-   -   1) be controlled interactively by the user,     -   2) adjust to candles of varying heights,     -   3) extinguish various candle types including jar candles and         open flame oil lamps,     -   4) enable limited-mobility users to easily and interactively         extinguish candles from a distance,     -   5) provide the ability to extinguish a lit candle using a         wireless connection, and     -   6) provide a battery operated countdown timer to extinguish a         lit candle at a set time as a safety feature.

Further features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention over the prior art will be more fully understood when considered with respect to the following detailed description claims and accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention is an automatic candle snuffer with a remote-control capability. It is comprised of:

-   -   1) a transmitter equipped with an input device, which generates         a signal when the input device is activated by a user;     -   2) a receiver that receives the signal generated by the         transmitter. Upon receiving this signal, the receiver toggles         power to an output port; and     -   3) a fan connected to the receiver output port.

This system allows the fan to be remotely turned on or off by a user, thereby enabling the user to remotely blow out the open flame.

The fan can also be mounted on an adjustable stem that allows the fan to be positioned in height, proximity or angle relative to the open flame.

The invention can also include an electronic countdown timer to operate the fan.

Any component in this invention can be powered by battery, including the transmitter, the receiver and the fan.

This invention also covers the method of blowing out an open flame. This method comprises the steps of:

1) activating a transmitter which results in the generation of a signal

2) the signal activating a receiver;

3) the receiver toggling power to a power port upon receiving the signal;

4) the power port toggling power to a fan; and

5) the fan generating an air flow,

whereby the air flow blows out the open flame.

The steps may also include the setting of a countdown timer that turns on power to the fan for a predetermined time interval (for example about 5 seconds).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 provides a general conceptual view showing the remote controller, adjustable electric fan incorporating the receiver and electronic countdown timer. The candle, not part of the invention is also shown.

FIG. 2 provides a functional block diagram of the electronics.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1 the invention comprises a remote-control transmitter 12, a receiver 14 and electric fan 20 electrically connected to the receiver 14 for extinguishing the flaming wick 26 on a candle 24.

The remote-control device 12 is used to send control signals to the receiver 14. Upon receiving the control signal, the receiver 14 activates an electrical relay or equivalent device, which sends electric power to the electric fan 20 for its operation. The electric fan 20 creates an air stream 28 which blows out flaming wick 26 of candle 24. This method of blowing out a flame will also work on other open-flame illumination devices such as oil lamps, so long as the flame is not enclosed by a glass chimney or other enclosure that prevents the air stream from blowing it out.

The electric fan 20 is mounted on a height-adjustable flexible stalk 18 to allow the electric fan 20 to be properly positioned and directed to accommodate various sizes and types of candles and oil lamps.

The flexible stalk 18 (commonly called a “goose neck”) is affixed to a weighted base 15 to keep the unit stationary and prevent the thrust from fan propeller 22 from moving the unit.

The base 15 contains the receiver 14, the electric batteries that provide power for the electric fan 20 and an electronic countdown timer 16 that operates the electric fan 20 to blow out the flaming wick 26 of candle 24 at a pre-determined time.

FIG. 2 provides a block diagram describing the interconnection between the transmitter 12, the receiver 14, the count-down timer 16 and the fan 20. Essentially when the user pushes the button on the transmitter 12, a signal is generated that is transmitted by the transmitter 12 and received by the receiver 14. Upon receiving this signal, the receiver 14 toggles the power on or off to the fan 20.

Operation: When the push-button switch 10 is pressed on the remote control device 12, a control signal is sent to the receiver 14. The receiver 14 activates an internal electrical relay or an equivalent such device which in turn activates the electric fan 20. The fan propeller 22 creates an air stream 28 which blows out flaming wick 26 of candle 24.

When push-button 30 on base 15 is quickly pressed, an electronic countdown timer 16 is set for one hour. When push-button 30 is quickly pressed a second time, the countdown timer 16 is incremented by one hour. When push-button 30 is quickly pressed a third time, the countdown timer 16 is set for three hours as its maximum interval. When the electronic countdown timer 16 reaches the end of the countdown time period, it causes the electric fan 20 to be operated for a brief programmed time interval to extinguish the candle or oil lamp as a safety device.

When the push-button 30 is pressed for about three seconds, it resets the countdown timer and operates the fan for about five seconds to allow the user to test and position the fan.

The electronic timer Indicator Light-Emitting Diode 30 flashes periodically to indicate the number of hours the electronic countdown timer 16 has been set to count down and provide a visual indication that the electronic countdown timer 16 is in operation.

The electric fan 20 is positioned using flexible stalk 18 so that air stream 28 is close enough to flaming wick 26 to blow it out quickly.

Several alternative implementations for the remote-control device 12 include wireless links such as infra-red, radio and ultrasonic links or wired links making use of the electrical wiring of a residence or structure using standard electrical wall outlets.

Several alternative implementations for the electric fan 20 include the use of an electro-mechanical device to operate a compressed air canister or other non-flammable aerosol device to extinguish the candle or oil lamp. A scented non-flammable aerosol spray could thus be used to extinguish the flame while simultaneously reducing or eliminating the smoke that results from extinguishing the flaming wick and masking the odor of any smoke.

While the above description contains many specificities, the reader should not construe these as limitations on the scope of the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations within its scope. Accordingly, the reader is requested to determine the scope of the invention by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not by the examples which have been given. 

1. A fan-based candle snuffer for blowing out an open flame comprised of: a) a transmitter equipped with an input device, which generates a signal when said input device is activated by a user; b) a receiver that receives said signal, said receiver toggling power to an output port upon receiving said signal; and c) a fan connected to said receiver output port; whereby said fan can be remotely turned on or off by a user, thereby enabling said user to remotely blow out said open flame.
 2. A device as in claim 1 wherein said fan is mounted on an adjustable stem that allows said fan to be positioned in height, proximity or angle relative to said open flame.
 3. A device as in claim 1 wherein an electronic countdown timer operates said fan.
 4. A device as in claim 1 wherein said transmitter, receiver and fan are battery powered.
 5. A method of blowing out an open flame comprising the steps of: a) activating a transmitter, said transmitter generating a signal; b) said signal activating a receiver; c) said receiver toggling power to a power port; d) said power port toggling power to a fan; and e) fan generating an air flow, whereby air flow blows out said open flame.
 6. A method as in claim 5 comprising of the additional steps of: a) Setting a countdown timer to a predetermined countdown interval; b) Countdown timer, at the end of said predetermined countdown interval, activating said power port for a predetermined time interval. 